Sánchez, colleagues to Trump administration: Restore immigrants’ wrongly invalidated SSNs
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez and nine of her colleagues called on the Trump administration to restore Social Security numbers of more than 6,300 legally present immigrants that were listed as “unverified,” months after declaring them deceased.
“These people are our neighbors, our friends, and our community members,” the members wrote. “Invalidating their Social Security numbers will wreak havoc on their lives. SSA’s action could bar them from receiving federal benefits, working, or opening a bank account, and could even cut their citizen children off from survivor benefits in the event of their death. Using intimidation and manipulation to oust law-abiding, legally present individuals from our country is cruel and un-American.”
In April, the SSA improperly classified these immigrants as deceased to encourage them to self-deport. Although the agency later reclassified them as “unverified,” their Social Security numbers remain flagged in systems used by federal agencies, employers and financial institutions.
This misclassification reportedly stems from an enforcement policy implemented during the Trump administration targeting immigrants. As a result, thousands now face financial and legal uncertainty – many with U.S. citizen children who may now be denied essential survivor benefits.
In addition to Sánchez, the letter was signed by Representatives Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.)
Full text of the letter is available here and follows:
July 18, 2025
The Honorable Frank Bisignano
Commissioner
Social Security Administration
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
Dear Commissioner Bisignano:
We write out of grave concern for the 6,300 immigrants who the Social Security Administration (SSA) first listed as dead, and who have now had their Social Security numbers rendered unverifiable. We are alarmed that SSA took this unprecedented action with the punitive intent of “terminating” immigrants’ financial lives to encourage them to self-deport, and we urge you to restore these individuals’ Social Security numbers as soon as possible.
These 6,300 individuals have reportedly been targeted in a Trump Administration immigration enforcement effort focused on people who were legally present and eligible to work until the Administration abruptly terminated their lawful status.
In April, SSA wrongfully classified these legally present, living immigrants as dead – a shocking and unprecedented action by SSA designed to throw people into financial limbo. Almost three months later, SSA has now reportedly reclassified these individuals: they are no longer “dead” but will instead be flagged as “unverified” by the systems used by other agencies, financial institutions, employers, and others to check Social Security numbers.
These people are our neighbors, our friends, and our community members. Invalidating their Social Security numbers will wreak havoc on their lives. SSA’s action could bar them from receiving federal benefits, working, or opening a bank account, and could even cut their citizen children off from survivor benefits in the event of their death. Using intimidation and manipulation to oust law-abiding, legally present individuals from our country is cruel and un-American.
We ask that within two weeks you provide answers to the following questions regarding SSA’s action to render the Social Security numbers of 6,300 immigrants unverifiable, these individuals’ status, and your future plans:
- Who requested that SSA take this action? Was the request made or supported by Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi L. Noem or any employee of the White House?
- Who at SSA authorized this action? Please provide copies of all signed memoranda regarding this action, including any between the Department of Homeland Security and SSA.
- What flags or special indicators have SSA placed in agency systems for the Social Security numbers of these 6,300 individuals?
- When a third party such as another federal agency, an employer, or a financial institution uses one of SSA’s Social Security number verification systems or data exchanges, what response will be provided for the 6,300 individuals as a result of these flags?
- What is your assessment of how this action will affect the 6,300 individuals, including potential financial loss?
- Has SSA been asked to take similar action against additional immigrants, beyond the 6,300? If so, who has requested this action, how many additional individuals may be affected, and when?
We urge you to restore these individuals’ Social Security numbers as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
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